Location

Dean’s Desk

Dr. Daniel Watkins

Jackson State University, along with the College of Education, now stands at 138 years old. The College of Education became accredited in 1972 by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Through the School of Administrative Leadership, School of Instructional Leadership, and the School of Lifelong Learning, we develop and administer quality, comprehensive, and career-oriented programs that attract students representing cultural and economic diversity.

The 2017 – 2018 academic school year is full of promise. Our student population has increased and we offer twelve undergraduate degrees, eight master degrees, three specialist in education with six concentrations, and four doctoral programs. We are leading the university in the development and enrollment of of students in online degree programs.

As a major contributor in the area of developing teachers, school leaders, and other school related personnel, we are especially excited about the reorganization of the School of Lifelong Learning, the Mississippi Learning Institute, Kids Kollege, the Lottie Thornton Early Childhood Center and our designation as a U.S. PREP National Teacher Transformation Center Provider. These programs are vital links to ensure an all encompassing college that provides educational experiences that offer the very best services to our pre-kindergarten through twelve (PK-12) clientele and community.

Our Curriculum Center has been redesigned to ensure a seamless transition between higher education and PK-12 for our college faculty, pre-service teachers, and all education majors. The center will serve as our bridge for relevant PK-12 curricula, technology, and best practices for instructional delivery. To strengthen this bridge, Jackson State University and Jackson Public School District have agreed to collaborate and form the first laboratory school in this area, Blackburn Laboratory Middle School. Our goal is to make Blackburn a highly successful middle school for replication and studies of successful practices in the district, state, and nation. As a high-performing community school, we see the lab school as the conduit to develop and merge effective instructional norms of practice and 21st Century Skills in both the College of Education and middle school classrooms.

We are in our fourth year of the Call Me MISTER program with the selection of our fourth cohort of young gentlemen who are elementary education majors. This summer Cohort One MISTERs and their academic coach participated in leadership institutes at Clemson University. Our technology driven program, Verizon Minority Male Makers Program, targets middle school school male students and provides mentorship activities to promote interest in STEM related educational programs. To ensure sustainability of Call Me MISTER, as well as provide assistance to education majors, the College of Education and Human Development has initiated two endowment scholarships for students needing financial assistance. The scholarships are: the Ernestine Calhoun Endowment (named in honor of the mother of Dr. Thomas Calhoun, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs) and the Alice V. Harden Endowment Scholarship (named in honor of our late state senator and former educator).

The College of Education and Human Development will achieve its’ mission with an exciting and dedicated faculty and staff. We offer the very best in teaching and advising with wholesome and concerned collegiality. Throughout the academic year, our faculty will engage in research, grant writing, publications, and presentations for the holistic improvement of our community, our university, our state, and ultimately our nation.

In 2017 – 2018, come and go with us as we go forward together. One JSU!